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This thread will run in six parts ... at three different focal lengths for resolution (35mm, 50mm, 70mm) at a distance of 7-feet for the entire series.
Camera is tripod-mounted with a electronic release. Lighting is from four overhead incandescent (Tungsten) 75W Floods.
The actual focal length is a bit imprecise, as I used marked measurements indicated on each lens barrel.
Each image is a crop from the original without any scaling or resize.
Bear in mind that some lenses will not support f/4 at certain focal lengths ... and there will be a difference in the brilliance as we go long ...
I have noted the aperture changes in parenthesis (f/ ...).
This test took 2 & 1/2 hours for shooting and postprocessing, after set up of target and tripod.

YOU DECIDE!

First, the 35mm shots, at the widest available aperture (keeping it roughly @ f/4) for the lens, simulating a low light light shot (in the order listed above):

Don Schap - BFA, Digital Photography A Photographer Is ForeverLook, I did not create the optical laws of the Universe ... I simply learned to deal with them.
Remember: It is usually the GLASS, not the camera (except for moving to Full Frame), that gives you the most improvement in your photography.flickr® & Sdi

Don Schap - BFA, Digital Photography A Photographer Is ForeverLook, I did not create the optical laws of the Universe ... I simply learned to deal with them.
Remember: It is usually the GLASS, not the camera (except for moving to Full Frame), that gives you the most improvement in your photography.flickr® & Sdi

Don Schap - BFA, Digital Photography A Photographer Is ForeverLook, I did not create the optical laws of the Universe ... I simply learned to deal with them.
Remember: It is usually the GLASS, not the camera (except for moving to Full Frame), that gives you the most improvement in your photography.flickr® & Sdi

Don Schap - BFA, Digital Photography A Photographer Is ForeverLook, I did not create the optical laws of the Universe ... I simply learned to deal with them.
Remember: It is usually the GLASS, not the camera (except for moving to Full Frame), that gives you the most improvement in your photography.flickr® & Sdi

Don Schap - BFA, Digital Photography A Photographer Is ForeverLook, I did not create the optical laws of the Universe ... I simply learned to deal with them.
Remember: It is usually the GLASS, not the camera (except for moving to Full Frame), that gives you the most improvement in your photography.flickr® & Sdi

Don Schap - BFA, Digital Photography A Photographer Is ForeverLook, I did not create the optical laws of the Universe ... I simply learned to deal with them.
Remember: It is usually the GLASS, not the camera (except for moving to Full Frame), that gives you the most improvement in your photography.flickr® & Sdi

Personally ... the Minolta 35-70mm f/4 stays in the bag in preference to the almighty 28-75mm f/2.8 ... and just look at the results from
the 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 All-in-one! Man, that is impressive for a "utility" lens.

Anyway folks, take your time and examine these ... and chime in with your own thoughts. It is a fair shake ... and I think I have made my point.

Last edited by DonSchap; 05-05-2009 at 03:40 PM.

Don Schap - BFA, Digital Photography A Photographer Is ForeverLook, I did not create the optical laws of the Universe ... I simply learned to deal with them.
Remember: It is usually the GLASS, not the camera (except for moving to Full Frame), that gives you the most improvement in your photography.flickr® & Sdi

Don I understand the purpose of the excersise, nice work thanks for the time and effort laying it out. the 18-250 does do the job across the board doesn't it. Now maybe it's just me and my untrained eye but I really like the images from the KM 24-105 in all the shots BUT the 35MM? but I can't tell you why I didn't care for the 35mm image? looking at the other shots and the KM 24-105 is that a display of 'Minolta color' and is that a good thing to see from the lens in this comparrison?

Sean ... you cannot be serious. The KM put out some of the most god awful resolution I have seen ... except a couple other lenses.
Something is just not right about it ... and I will have it checked, probably submitting it with my 24mm and 28mm primes for adjustment.
I suspected it being poor, after my trip to Dubuque, IA, to see Sarah! After this little test effort ... I am hiding it, until I get 'er fixed.

(EDIT: KM AF 24-105mm f/3.5-4.5 "D" was found to be damaged and unrepairable, due to a lack of replacable parts by SONY. The results
it turned in were deleted and should not be considered viable or a reflection of what a new lens of its kind will do.)

Last edited by DonSchap; 05-13-2009 at 09:25 AM.

Don Schap - BFA, Digital Photography A Photographer Is ForeverLook, I did not create the optical laws of the Universe ... I simply learned to deal with them.
Remember: It is usually the GLASS, not the camera (except for moving to Full Frame), that gives you the most improvement in your photography.flickr® & Sdi